Education

INDEPENDENCE – Dr. Larry Massie will continue to serve as interim superintendent of the Grayson County School System through Nov. 30, after the Grayson County School Board approved a memorandum of agreement at its Sept. 14 meeting.

Massie, who lives in Richmond, was appointed interim superintendent on June 17 after superintendent Kevin Chalfant resigned on May 31.

The school board is continuing to interview applicants for the superintendent’s position.

Crossroads Institute held its 10-year anniversary celebration Aug. 25 with a video presentation, words from new director Brenda Sutherland and refreshments. The event started at 10 a.m. and lasted about 90 minutes.

The video focused on “success stories” from those who have been helped by the institution’s business incubator at Crossroads, including Steve Winesett of Candor Construction, Travis Belton and Joanie Newman of Moog-Galax and Leigh Ann Richardson of Vital Supply in Wytheville.

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) made two Twin Counties stops on his way through Southwest Virginia last Thursday, visiting the STEM lab at Carroll County High School and the Vaughan-Bassett Furniture plant in Galax.

The stops were part of Kaine’s swing through Virginia on U.S. 58.

At the CCHS lab, Kaine saw several students demonstrate projects they’re working on. The STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Math) lab at CCHS had a strong agricultural focus, and a farm for its use.

On April 30, the few at Crossroads Institute who knew exhibited quiet satisfaction.

Candor Construction Inc., a general contractor that three years ago entered the Crossroads incubator in Galax, had just landed a $6.5 million shopping center construction project in Morgantown, W.Va. “You don’t hear numbers that big in this building very often,” quipped one Crossroads board member.

Ten years ago, when the Crossroads Institute opened its doors, the goal was to bolster opportunities for education and economic development in the region.

But what took place was something beyond what anyone expected. Not only did the facility succeed in giving local individuals a step up to higher education, and a wide range of employment opportunities, it also played a key role in uniting Galax, Carroll County and Grayson County in their shared goals of economic development.

Some who know Leigh Ann Richardson would say her ability to succeed comes naturally.

But when it comes to business and education, Richardson credits Crossroads Institute for much of her achievement.

“I’m thankful there’s a place people can come and get constructive feedback about starting a business – about a plan and making that plan come true,” said Richardson, who also teaches nursing for Wytheville Community College at Crossroads.

Changes that allowed more students to retake Standards of Learning exams helped boost scores across core subjects this past school year, based on pass rates released Aug. 11 by the Virginia Department of Education. Local school divisions mirrored state trends.

Elementary and middle school students were allowed to retake the tests for the first time last school year following a change in the law. High schoolers already had the chance to do so.

INDEPENDENCE – Susie Funk, administrative supervisor, told the Grayson County School Board at its Aug. 10 meeting that the school system was fully staffed and ready for the opening of school on Aug. 12.

The school board praised Funk, school staff and Interim Superintendent Dr. Larry Massie for their work in securing teachers and other staff members for the 2015-2016 school year.

A lengthy list of personnel items were approved by the board including: